FAQ

We are the official Wisconsin club of the Communist Party USA. Whereas some of our fellow clubs are city or regional, one singular club encompasses the entire state of Wisconsin. We have found that while club members might be separated by many miles, it has also granted us varying perspectives – be it from party members in an urban center like Milwaukee or dedicated people in the Northwoods. The overarching driving purpose of our club is to lend our full support for workers rights and fight for equality for the many. In the state of Wisconsin, we have seen these struggles play out recently on a grand stage, and the Communist Party of Wisconsin was at the forefront.

Our club members meet monthly, typically in both Madison and Milwaukee, but we do frequently travel to more northern locales when we can. Through conference calls and, soon, online participation, Wisconsin club members in more remote locations are able to participate with greater frequency. At these meetings, we discuss local developments and all members are encouraged to help develop strategies to help our fellow workers.

Also, the Communist Party USA holds a national convention where delegates elected from the clubs assess the present political climate, make policy changes and ultimately elect a national committee. All of this is then reported to club members across the country.

At forefront of our efforts is to standup for the American working class and, in turn, the American people. The Wisconsin club of the Communist Party USA has long been present in labor struggles in the state and will similarly be active in the future. The top priority of CP Wisconsin’s work is to work together towards a fairer national environment in terms of labor, peace, equality, and social justice. In order to obtain a better life for all working families in Wisconsin, our actions must be clear and forward-thinking. Our belief is that an America free from the exploitative nature of Capitalism is the ideal and every day we work towards making that a reality.

The United States and its citizens are versed in the revolutionary spirit that made this country great: our struggle for democracy and our guarantees of individual freedoms found within our Bill of Rights. But we must push harder and go further. We must call for radical changes in order to come out from under the repressive hold of Capitalism. This includes, but not limited to, the following goals: affordable housing for all, creation of massive public works projects for the unemployed, guaranteed employment or unemployment for those seeking work, nationalization of industries like banking and automotive, reliable mass transit for the masses, and a sustainable environmental policy to preserve the world around us for future generations.

Our ideology is based on the social science of Marxism-Leninism, not the proven corrupt and exploitative nature of Capital. Our basis in history, politics, and economics will lead us towards a world of Socialism.

Many of our current members arrived at the Communist Party of Wisconsin by way of reading the works of both Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. While their principles are clearly stated and beliefs grounded in both compassion and reason, the total works of both men can get a little heavy from time to time. We encourage non-members to read “The Communist Manifesto” as a proper introduction to the tenants of Communism. CP Wisconsin members are constantly ingesting and discussing content dealing with Communism, Socialism, and theories surrounding both.

CP Wisconsin will soon offer a short school on Marxism and Communist Party USA politics for both members and non-members. Please check back soon for the launch of CPWisconsin-University, which should be unveiled in the Summer of 2013. For a more in-depth view of these topics, we encourage our members to visit the Little School of Marxism, which is hosted by the Communist Party of Texas.

Most of the beliefs held by Communist Party of Wisconsin members can be found in our Party Program and in sections of the Communist Party USA Constitution. If you have questions on specific issues or policies not outlined in either document, please feel free to email us and we’ll clear up any inquiries you might have.

The greatest strength of the Communist Party USA is that our members are superior organizers and have been that way since 1919. Most of the first unions in the United States were formed with the help of Communist Party organizers, which includes the auto, meatpacking, and steel industries. Much of the benefits and guarantees you enjoy on a daily basis in your workplace (40-hour work week, 8-hour day, frequent breaks, etc.) can be traced back to the determination of Communist Party members throughout the country. From the Social Security struggle of the 1930s to the ongoing fight for unemployment benefits, the frontline is composed of strong party members looking out for the American worker.

In addition to our tireless fight on behalf of the working class, we’ve also been active in all of the major civil rights movements in the United States. From preventing lynchings and staging sit-ins, the Communist Party has worked for equality since opposing the Jim Crow laws all the way up to we continue to today.

Of course! As a progressive political party, we are constantly looking for ways to bring the conversation to likeminded citizens who may not have been introduced to Marxism or Communism. We encourage you to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and participate online at CPWisconsin.org. Frequently, the CPUSA reaches out to the media in order to maximize our reach and voice our cause. Listen to Chairman Sam Webb’s radio interview on Madison radio in October of 2012 here. Communication Director of CPUSA Libero Della Piana was on Huffington Post Live in early January of 2013 to discuss Communisms place in American politics. For all local media inquiries, please use our Contact form to begin a dialogue.